Chapter 72

I catch her by the upper arms and turn her, vowing to cut through her act and save her, save us both. Ignoring the slaps on my hands which are pitiful compared to the previous and I can tell for sure her words are empty, and her needs are to have me stay with her. I’ve been here with her before, long ago when she snarled, glared, and tried to chase me off from getting too close.

I handle her how I would have four years ago, knowing that’s what she wants from me. Softly, guiding her to me and persistently bringing her close while ignoring her lash outs, she avoids my eye completely, but she doesn’t all out resist me like before. The thudding of my chest is so extreme I swear I might have a heart attack and my hands are shaking as I carefully bring her to me.

“Just leave me alone.” Tears pour silently down her face but there’s no real physical fight in her and I sigh with relief that my stamina is outliving hers. She’s dwindling down, all her fight fizzling out. I exhale s